Newsletter 2

The children have been fantastic and settled in very well. They are following school routines and rules meticulously and trying their very best in their learning.

Staffing

I am delighted to inform you that the Governing Body has appointed Miss Smith, Wise Owls class teacher, as Acting Deputy Headteacher. Miss Smith will be out of class on Wednesdays to support the Leadership and Management of the school.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns, however small. In the mornings I will be based around YR side of the school, Mrs King, our Inclusion Manager, will be near the Y1 classrooms and Miss Smith by Y2 classrooms.

Attendance

The Governing Body are delighted that we met our school target last year of 95+%. This means that we also meet the Government’s expectations. However, analysis of last year’s attendance data showed that pupils who qualified for Free School Meals had the lowest attendance as a group in the school, which obviously affected their progress and achievement. Therefore, we will target this group this year to improve their attendance and ensure that their learning does not fall behind.

Please may I remind you that I do not have the authority to approve holidays, unless it is an exceptional circumstance. The Government expects all schools to unauthorise holidays during term time. You will need to complete a Leave of Absence form if you request any absence from school.

Please also remember to call the office before 9.30a.m. to leave a message if your child is going to be absent from school for any reason, otherwise their absence will be unauthorised.

School Expansion

Please remember to avoid driving up Romsey Close at all times but park at Abbey Road shops or Tintern Close next to the new gate entrance and walk the short pathway to school. From now on, all side gates onto the school site will be locked at 9.15am, including on Fridays after Celebration Assembly. Parents and visitors will need to walk and exit via the main gate entrance on this day.

School Lunch

The new initiative of providing universal free school meals for all infant children is going well. Please may I remind you that if any parents/carers are in receipt of any of the benefits listed below your child may be eligible for pupil premium free school meals. This means that the school will receive additional funding from the Government to enable us to employ additional resources for your child’s learning.

If your child is in Y1 or Y2 and they were already claiming free school meals at the end of last year, you do not need to do anything further. However, if you have a child in Y1 or Y2 and your circumstances have changed or if your child is just starting in YR and you are claiming the benefits below, you can apply online at the following address:- www.myschoollunch.co.uk/hampshire and follow the links to ‘Free School Meals’. Alternatively, you can collect a form from the school office, complete and return it to the office.

Eligibility Criteria:

Income support

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)

Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Families in receipt of Child Tax Credit will also qualify provided that (a) they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and (b) their annual income, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs does not exceed £16,190 (subject to annual review)*

Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

*Parents who are made redundant or start working less than 16 hours per week may find their children are entitled to pupil premium free meals for a limited period.

Of course children can still have a packed lunch from home if they prefer, but if you are claiming benefits the school can still receive the extra funding if you apply, even if your child does not wish to have a school dinner.

The more parents (whose children qualify) fill in the applications, the more funding the school will receive.

Smoking

We have had a few complaints from parents and neighbours about smoke pollution at the infant side gate entrance. If you do smoke, please be respectful and move to a more open area.

Life threatening allergies

We are a ‘NUT FREE SCHOOL’. We have three children and a member of staff who can have a severe, life threatening reaction to nuts. Please DO NOT provide nuts of any kind or peanut butter sandwiches at lunchtime. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Belongings

Please ensure that you label all school uniform including hats, gloves, coats, shoes, PE kits, lunch boxes and water bottles. I am already amazed at the amount of lost property in the office porch in one week! Children often have the same items and become very anxious when they lose something.